How can a college wrestling team win more fans? One way without working up a sweat: the effective use of Facebook, Twitter and other social media to promote themselves.
Now the National Wrestling Coaches Association has developed the collegiate “Best of Brand” awards to recognize teams who are effectively using social media to build their program from a marketing standpoint, the NWCA announced Tuesday.
The NWCA — in conjunction with Coyte Cooper, Assistant Professor in Sport Administration at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill — will offer awards in seven different individual categories in the inaugural competition for the 2011-12 season.
“One of the hot topics at the NWCA Convention since 2009 has been the use of social media to market the individual program,” said Mike Moyer, NWCA Executive Director. “We want to incorporate that momentum by helping programs find an easy way to grow the number of spectators and fans, while maintaining a visible public image that will help to positively brand the wrestling team with the institution that they represent.”
“This is a unique opportunity for college wrestling programs to differentiate themselves from other sports,” said Cooper, who was an NCAA All-American wrestler at Indiana University. “For college wrestling to be sustainable in future years, coaches must embrace the opportunity to build their programs with key stakeholders. My hope is that all programs will get on board, because this has the opportunity to grow the sport moving forward.”
Want to know more? Check out the NWCA’s announcement about the “Best of Brand” awards for the use of social media by college wrestling programs, including details on the specific individual award categories.
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